Portable show-case



(No Model.)

W. BOURKE.

PORTABLE SHOW CASE.

No. 248,842. Patented Nov. 1,1881.

NrrEo STATES ATENT FFICE.

W'ILLIAllI BOURKE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PORTABLE SHOW-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,842, dated November 1, 1881.

Application filed June 30, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VILLIAM BOURKE, of

Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New Y drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Myinvention has relation to such small portable show-cases as may conveniently be employed upon the counter or upon the top of the ordinary store show-cases, or for the embellish mentof show-windows,and particularly to such as are designed for the display of jewelry.

The object of my invention is primarily to produce a light, attractive, and portable showcase for the display ofjewelry and similar articles, which show-case can be made to stand upon the counter, in the showwindow, or upon the ordinary large-sized show-cases, which will afford a convenient and complete view of the entire contents, be easy and simple to make, and in which the brackets or legs may be placed flat against the back, thus making a neat, compact, and convenient sample-case for transportation of the goods, or for the use of salesmen in the usual line of their business. To accomplish this the invention involves certain novel and useful constructions, arrangements, or combinations of parts and details of manufacture, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved showcase, illustrating the same as standing in its usual position for the display of goods. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section and partial elevation, illustrating my most approved form of construction and arrangement; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the back of the show-case as it appears when the supporting brackets or legs are made to lie flat down, the show-case then being converted into a portable samplecase or packingcase for transportation.

Like letters ofreference,wherever they occur, indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The front of the case, as shown in the drawings, is composed of the two uprights A A, the top and bottom cross pieces, B B, and a third cross piece, O, forming, with the top, a

panel for the display of any desired advertising-card, and with the bottom piece apanel for the transparent pane, through which the goods may be inspected. The upper panel may or may not have a transparent pane for the protection ofthe show-card. The card may be attached in any preferred manner, and might be omitted altogether, and the same is true of the panel itself. The principal pane of glass or other transparent medium is suitably fixed in the panel provided for it, preferably in a rabbet cut in the frame-pieces, of sufficient depth to accommodate the edges of the hinged back and tray, so that dust shall be effectually excluded. The uprights preferably extend be low the lower cross-piece, affording a space beneath it, and the back or tray D is hinged, as at h, to the upper edge of the back of the lower cross-piece, and in such a manner that the tray will shut into the rabbet formed for it. Asuitablecatch or1ock,E, upon thehinged back serves to keep the back locked in place when the show-case is closed, or when being employed for the transportation of the goods. The interior of the tray is divided into as many compartments as may be desired by the ribs (1 a, &c., attached to and movable with the hinged back. The goods being placed upon cards these compartments serve to prevent the cards from being displaced, (and thus the articles upon them,) preserving a proper disposition of the articles at all times and preventing damage by moving about within the case.

The brackets F F are removably connected with the upright pieces of the frame-as, for instance, by the screws gg. Beinglocated outside the path of the hinged tray or back, they in no way interfere with the movements thereof. They are preferably so formed as to support the show-case in a slightly-inclined position, whereby greater stability is contributed to the show-caseand a better view of the contents secured. They may be of any ornamental pattern, and instead of being screwed to the uprights might be hinged thereto, a suitable catch or look being provided to prevent them from becoming accidentally disarranged. The screws, however, afford all the desired detachability, and are simple and cheap to apply. The same advantage may be attained by employing the ordinary socket and wedge-shaped lug, commonly known as the bedstead-fastening, the same to be applied for making the connection between the frame and legs in a manner well understood by users of such devices. When any of the goods are to be removed the tray is dropped down at the back of the show-case, and the contents are protected in front by the front pane and at the sides by the brackets. The tray being then in a horizontal position, all the goods are within convenient reach of the showman, while they can be distinctly seen by the customer.

It being desirable to open the tray only when necessary,the character, quality, and workmanship of the goods within is made manifest by attaching a sample article to the top rail of the frame or some other convenient point, and this sample may be closely inspected and tested, but cannot be detached. The lacation of the sample is indicated at S in the drawings.

The case is specially designed for the exhibition of adjustable sleeve'bnttons, and the exposed sample S may be worked and tested at pleasure, but cannot be removed. v

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a show-case of the character herein set forth, the hinged tray for containing the goods, made to drop down in rear of the standing transparent pane and to close up behind the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the hinged tray for containing the goods, the transparent stationary pane covering said tray when closed up, and the panel above for the display of advertising matter, substantially as shown and described.

3. In combination with a show-case frame containing a hinged tray, the side brackets for supporting said frame, located and arranged, substantially as set forth, so as to permit the tray to drop down between them, for the purposes specified.

4. The combination of the frame containing the transparent pane, the hinged tray provid ed with a locking device, and the detachable brackets adapted to be folded down upon the back of the tray. substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

5. In combination with a portable showcase having a dropping tray for containing the goods, the panel for display of advertising matter, and the detachable side brackets, all ar ranged and adapted to operate substantially as shown and described.

\ In testimony thatI claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence oftwo witnesses.

WILL [AM BOURKE.

\Vitnesses:

F. W. HANAFORD, WORTH ()seoon. 

